One problem that most intermediate players suffer from is choosing the most suitable rubber for their blades. That is why we’ve brought you our top picks for the 9 best table tennis rubbers for intermediate players in 2022.
Every table tennis player knows that a table tennis racket has many parts. These parts include the rubber, sponge, blade, and many more. And you’ll have to choose these components based on your playing style.
You may be a player who prioritizes control over speed and like to give the ball a quick spin from time to time.
This article is mainly for intermediate players who are trying to take their game up a notch. We’ll be emphasizing more on speed, spin, and control. We’ll also be adding a comprehensive buying guide for your convenience.
Best table tennis rubbers for intermediate players at a glance.
| Rubber | Performance |
| Yasaka Mark V HPS | Speed |
| Butterfly Roundell | Speed |
| Butterfly Tenergy 05 | Speed |
| Yasaka Rigan | Spin |
| Tibhar Evolution MX-P | Spin |
| Yasaka Rakza 7 Soft | Spin |
| Butterfly Rozena | Control |
| DHS NEO Hurricane 3 | Control |
| JOOLA Dynaryz ACC | Control |
Best Table Tennis Rubbers for Intermediate Players
Yasaka Mark V HPS
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Summary
| Hardness | Softer |
| Thickness | 2mm |
| Rubber type | Backhand |
| Provides | Speed |
Hardness
The Yasaka Mark V HPS has a softer sponge than the regular Mark V HPS. Compared to other pieces, this rubber has a medium soft sponge.
Thickness
The Mark V comes in more than one thickness option. Yasaka offers this model from a surprisingly thin 1mm sponge to a max sponge. This particular unit comes with a thickness of 2mm.
Description
If you are not sure what playstyle you want to pick up, the Mark V HPS is what you’re looking for. This jack-of-all-trade rubber offers a high degree of versatility. And thanks to its softer sponge, it proves to be a decent backhand rubber.
Design
The rubber features a medium-low throw angle that allows more control on flatter shots and drives. It carries the classic Mark V top sheet with a similar sponge. However, the sponge offers more speed than its predecessor.
User Experience
According to the users, the rubber is not the fastest out there. It has a soft feeling to it. But it’s not so weak as a dampened defensive rubber.
Butterfly Roundell
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Summary
| Hardness | Medium soft |
| Thickness | 1.9mm |
| Rubber type | Backhand |
| Provides | Speed |
Hardness
The sponge can be rated as a medium soft sponge.
Thickness
Butterfly offers the Roundell unit at three different thickness levels. This particular unit offers a thickness of 1.9mm.
Description
According to experts, the Butterfly Roundell is more of a controlled version of the Tenergy 05. While they offer a similar speed, the Roundell’s less sensitive to spin and is easier to manage.
Even though the Roundell’s comparatively less sensitive to spin than the Tenergy 05, you can still generate that level of spin. However, you’ll have to dig the ball into the sponge a bit deeper to do that.
Design
The Butterfly Roundell is more focused on speed. It has a medium-high throw angle that makes it an excellent choice for your backhand rubber. And thanks to its flexible top sheet of sponge, it can provide overwhelming spin and speed.
User Experience
It is one of the most popular choices for backhand rubber among users. However, it may take some time to get used to.
Butterfly Tenergy 05
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Summary
| Hardness | Hard |
| Thickness | 2.1 mm |
| Rubber type | Forehand |
| Provides | Speed |
Hardness
Like all good intermediate rubbers, the Tenergy 05 has a hard spring sponge.
Thickness
The offered thickness on this unit is just the right fit for all-around and offensive plays.
Description
The Butterfly Tenergy 05 Hard rubber offers players a well-developed technique and even different challenges from other Tenergy table tennis rubbers. The harder sponge offers better accuracy, powerful serves and shots, and a linear trajectory through the air for more spin on loops.
This is less ideal for parents or players just learning to play who don’t have enough control over their skills yet but would be perfect for someone looking to take their game to the next level.
The rubber is more suitable for your forehand. But if your backhand game is more focused on lower throw-based play, you can use it as well.
Design
Tenergy 05 Hard is an all-out offensive rubber with a harder spring sponge for maximum speed and dynamic. Plus, it’s softer than other Tenergy rubbers so you can rip shots without worrying about errant returns.
User Experience
Tenergy 05 Hard is everything you could want in a modern table tennis rubber. It has amazing speed, spin, and control while still remaining consistent across different playing surfaces
Yasaka Rigan
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Summary
| Hardness | Medium |
| Thickness | 1.8mm |
| Rubber type | Backhand |
| Provides | Spin |
Hardness
Yasaka has manufactured the Rigan unit with a sponge hardness of the medium level to offer the experienced player more dynamic speed.
Thickness
This Yasaka Rigan unit has a thickness of 1.8 millimeters.
Description
The Yasaka Rigan is said to be an upgrade from the Mark V series. It’s an easy-to-pick-up rubber that specializes in control and spin. But do not underestimate the speed this unit offers. The Rigan has an impressive amount of speed as well.
The Rigan unit is excellent for blocking and a fantastic choice for a backhand rubber. However, you will need good skills and techniques to use them well. That makes it a wonderful choice for intermediate to advanced players.
Design
The Yasaka Rigan uses the Rakza rubbers that feature a unique pimple design. These pimples allow for a strong balance between speed and spin. And thanks to its featured Hybrid energy, the synergy between its sponge and top sheet provides excellent control and power.
User Experience
Many have declared the Yasaka Rigan as an upgraded tensioned Yasaka HPS.
TIBHAR Evolution MX-P
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Summary
| Hardness | Hard |
| Thickness | 1.8mm |
| Rubber type | Backhand/Forehand |
| Provides | Spin |
Hardness
The Tibhar Evolution MX-P has a hard sponge to focus more on the spin.
Thickness
It has a thickness of 1.8mm that makes it able to deliver ridiculous spins.
Description
The all-new TIBHAR Evolution MX-P rubber is the evolution of high quality, many sought-after rubbers. The new pimple geometry makes this topspin rubber more flexible and thus gives players extra energy for attacking shots.
Unlike other rubbers, it has no concession in terms of speed or spins with its anti-spin balls because it can be used by any player to feel the necessary pressure during strokes. Choose EVOLUTION MX-P if you’re a top spinning player who wants to feel that extra pressure on your strokes!
Design
The TIBHAR Evolution MX-P is a premium quality rubber for players that demand speed, spin, and versatility. The hardest version of the EVOLUTION rubbers accelerates strokes while grabbing balls tight with excellent control and accuracy.
User Experience
EVOLUTION MX-P confers an extended ball/bat contact time which transmits very precise information about what kind of pressure to apply to each stroke.
Yasaka Rakza 7
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Summary
| Hardness | Medium Soft |
| Thickness | 1.8mm |
| Rubber type | Backhand |
| Provides | Spin |
Hardness
This top-of-the-line product has a medium soft sponge.
Thickness
Like many other top intermediate rubbers, the Yasaka Rakza 7 has a thickness of 1.8mm.
Description
The new Hybrid Energy, Rakza 7 Soft, is one of the most prized innovations of Yasaka. Unlike its Mark V counterparts, this rubber isn’t a jack-of-all-trades but a king of spin.
This top intermediate rubber has a medium-high throw angle that makes it an excellent choice for your best backhand rubber.
It is an ideal choice for you if you’re an aggressive player. The Rakza 7 allows the player to deliver a fast game with its well-controlled shots and astounding spins. It is also perfect for counter-hit shots.
Design
The Rakza 7 Soft comes equipped with natural gum on its top sheet. That’s why it can provide such an enhanced grip level and a greater power of spin. As Yasaka has combined the top sheet with the new ‘Power Sponge,’ it works in perfect synergy with the top sheet.
User Experience
Many users have argued that the Rakza 7 delivers even better control than advertised. They also seem to be very satisfied with the durability of its top sheet.
Butterfly Rozena
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Summary
| Hardness | Medium Soft |
| Thickness | 1.7/1.9/2.1mm |
| Rubber type | Backhand |
| Provides | Control |
Hardness
Butterfly has equipped this unit with a sponge with a medium-level hardness to offer greater ball control.
Thickness
Butterfly offers the Rozena unit in three levels of thickness. They’re 1.7mm, 1.9mm, and 2.1mm.
Color
The Butterfly Rozena comes in two colors. They are red and black.
Description
Unlike the above-mentioned Butterfly Roundell, Butterfly Rozena is more focused on control. It employs rose-dyed Spring-sponge technology. This rubber’s top sheet features a high-tension technology. This technology allows it to deliver a little bit of everything.
While it can’t compete with the Tenergy series in terms of speed, it makes up for that difference with control. After making contact with the ball, the rubber leaves the player some room for adjustment.
Design
With a high level of tolerance, the rubber helps the player improve their game with time. The Butterfly Rozena features a medium-high throw angle with a good amount of speed and control, making it a perfect candidate for your backhand rubber.
User Experience
The rubber is very easy to play with. It provides comfortable blocking and a very well-dosed chop game. Overall, this rubber has a good balance between consistency and control.
DHS NEO Hurricane 3
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Summary
| Hardness | Medium-hard |
| Thickness | 2.2mm |
| Rubber type | Forehand |
| Provides | Control |
Hardness
Unlike most control-based rubbers, this unit uses a medium-hard sponge as its base.
Thickness
The DHS NEO Hurricane 3 has a thickness of 2.2 millimeters.
Description
The DHS NEO Hurricane 3 has a “powerful” sponge with hurricane rubber that increases the ability to score. These goalies have high speed and low-fast loops, changing arcs, strong spin – which is what you need for competitive play. You can choose between the black or red colors available.
The DHS NEO Hurricane 3’s superior rubber supports to create a high-speed, low-fast loop.
This creates the stability needed for attacking players looking to keep their shots consistent and strong without too much effort!
Design
The heavy-duty Hurricane 3 is perfect for all players who want power and control. The sponge combined with the Hurricane 3 rubber produces a high-speed arc with tight spin-on contact to get you back in the game. A bonus is that NEO hurricane 3 has more wind resistance than other products on the market, which means your shots will whip around corners at breakneck speeds while maintaining maximum control over accuracy.
User Experience
An incredibly powerful product that is also very efficient. It has strong loops with low fast spin, which is great for anyone looking for more pronounced control.
JOOLA Dynaryz ACC
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Summary
| Hardness | Medium-hard |
| Thickness | 2.0mm |
| Rubber type | Backhand |
| Provides | Control |
Hardness
This control-based rubber uses a medium-hard sponge as its base.
Thickness
The JOOLA Dynaryz ACC has a thickness of 2.0 millimeters.
Description
The JOOLA Dynaryz ACC is the table tennis rubber of choice for those aspiring to play at the professional level. The Hyperbounce Sponge was designed to bounce shots back, keeping them in control and ready for powerful strikes. Forward-thinking spinners (or hitters) will appreciate that this sponge provides a cushiony layer when returning serves, preventing your opponent from performing at their best.
Beneath the surface lies a construction engineered not only to increase spin but also to offer a noticeable choppier pattern, which can lead to enhanced speed or even provide incredible grip on the ball.
Design
This table tennis rubber has been engineered with a signature purple medium-hard sponge paired with Advance Traction Surface Technology to create a top-notch surface that allows for laser-like precision shots. If you are aspiring to play at the professional level, this is the product of choice!
User Experience
This innovative and spin-friendly rubber, resulting in unmatched speed and precision while delivering ultimate control!
What Makes a Rubber Suitable for Intermediate Table Tennis Players?
Choosing the best rubber for your forehand is different from selecting a rubber for your backhand. There are various factors that you need to consider when buying a rubber for your ping pong paddle.
Hardness
The thicker the rubber, the more power you can deliver. So, if you’re choosing rubber for your forehand, it’s better to go for the one with the maximum thickness.
According to the ITTF regulation, your table tennis bats can have a maximum thickness of 4mm. So, it’s a good idea to go for that.
On the other hand, if you’re picking your backhand rubber, you should go for the ones with a thickness of around 2mm to 2.15mm.
Thickness
The thicker the rubber, the more power your ping pong paddle can deliver with its strokes. So, even if you’re at the starting line, your choice shouldn’t be too thin a rubber, as they will bottom out.
The Density
The density of the sponge of your bat relates directly to the quickness of your shots. However, you will also need to exert more energy to do so. So, if you’re buying it for your forehand, you should choose a denser sponge. That way, you can put more power behind your shot.
But if you’re more of a dense-based player who doesn’t prefer swinging hard, you should go for a softer one.
Required Throw Angle
The subject of throw angle is a complicated one. Generally speaking, you hit the ball in front of your body for your backhand shot by closing the table tennis racket more.
So, you’d need a medium to high throw angle when you’re choosing for your backhand. That’s why high-quality backhand rubber often carries a high throw angle.
On the other hand, bounciness is not an essential factor in the case of forehand shots. It would be best if you transferred the force without losing too much energy. That’s why when choosing your forehand; you need to select a rubber with a low to medium-low throw angle.
Follow the two-color rule [updated December 2020]
Make sure to follow the revised two-color rule imposed by the ITTF Board of Directors. They have agreed to allow four other colors in place of the bright red side. These colors are bright blue, bright green, bright purple/pink, and bright violet.
Rubber Authorization
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) allows only authorized table tennis rubbers in official matches. They have a list of the approved rubbers that they update every six months. So, make sure that the rubber you’re buying has the ITTF logo on it.
Get The Rubber That Complements Your Playing Style
There are mainly three types of playing styles. As an intermediate player, you should be aware of your own style and choose the rubber most suited for your class.
All-around/counter-attack style
If you’re a player who bases their plays on counterattacks, you should choose a paddle with the most rigid sponge. But make sure that the pimple isn’t too big and offers a generous spin. That way, you can win your games with speed and counters.
If your play is based on counters, we think that the Yasaka Rakza 7 will be the best choice for you from our list of selections.
Attacking/offensive style
Offensive players try to overwhelm their opponents with speed and power. For that reason, they prefer paddles with a thicker sponge (more than 2.0mm). A thicker sponge causes the ball to bounce off the paddle faster and allows the player to deliver more power with their strokes.
Defensive style
As a general rule of thumb, defensive players tend to choose anti-spin rubber. The anti-spin rubber has a slippery surface, so it offers minimal resistance that reduces friction. As a result, it generates little to no spin.
Changing Table Tennis Rubbers
Like all things, your paddle’s rubber is going to wear out with time. And the dust particles will damage the surface, which will cause it to lose its tackiness. Moreover, exposure to light, heat, and air will cause the rubber to deteriorate.
Top players change their rubber often. So, even if you don’t want to change your rubber frequently, you should change it when it starts to lose its tackiness. It is a good idea to change your paddle’s rubber once a year. If you play frequently, you may have to change it more often.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which rubbers do the professional table tennis players use?
There is no one rubber that professional players use. They all choose their rubbers according to their preferences. However, the Tenergy 05 model has been popular amongst the advanced players for quite some time. It is mainly popular amongst those who attack with topspin.
Which Rubber can give me the highest spin?
There are different rubbers from different brands that can help you generate a lot of spins. You can choose any of them. Some of these include the Tenergy 05, Nittaku Sieger PK50, and many more.
Is Tenergy rubber the best?
Tenergy is a long-standing name in the table tennis rubber industry. They have a wide selection of high-quality products. While they’re a great choice for some, they’re not quite suitable for everyone. They also come with a high price tag which is off-putting for some people.
Does the red or black color matter?
The red and the black rubbers are both similar in terms of density, hardness, and sponge. The main difference between them is their tackiness. The black rubber tends to be tackier than its red counterpart.
Bottom Line
It would be best if you put effort into finding which rubber works best for you. Don’t just blindly stick to what someone recommended to you a year ago or what you’ve always used.
You should do your research work and try out a number of rubbers. And now that you’ve found this article, you’re already a step ahead of others.
Don’t think you’ll find the right equipment very quickly. You’ll most likely make a lot of mistakes. But that’s okay. After a lot of trial and error, you’ll find the best table tennis racket and rubber for you.
We hope that our 9 Best Table Tennis Rubbers for Intermediate Players In 2022 article will help you through that process. We wish you all the very best for your next match!
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